Fodder-cutter.



No. 633,443.` Patented not. i, |901.

J. mcK.

FODDER CUTTER.

(Application led July 10, 1899.) (No Modal.) 5-Sheets-Sheet I.

mms Crans co. Puma-urna.. wnmmrmuu. n. c

No. 683,448. Patented Oct. I, |90I.

J. DICK. J FDDDER CUTTER.

(Application led July 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Shed 2.

No. 683,448. Patented uctpl, |901. J. DICK.

FODDER'CUTTEB. (Application med muy 1o, 1599.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

L, if

l Tn: Nonms mins no.. momuwo.. nmmcrou, me,

No. 683,448. Patented 0st. I, I90l.

.1. DICK. FUDDEB GUTTER.

(Application led July 10, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(nu madam iks als:

` No. 683,448. Patented out. l, |901.

. J. nlcK.

Poom-:n currsn. (Application med my 1o, 1&99.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT E'EICE'.

.IOsEPII DICK, or CANTON, OII'IO.

Fenosa-CUTTER.

srEcIrIcaTroN forming par@ of Letters raient No. 683,44s, dats octobef1, reci.

Application filed July 1o, 1899.

To all whom, it may conceive:

Beit known that I, JOSEPH DICK, a citizen of the United States, residingat Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented newand useful Improvements in FOdder-Cutters, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in fodder cutters or Shredders; andit has for its Object the casting of the supporting-frame and fan-casingin one and the same piece, and other features and details of construetion, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the rear of the Inachine viewed fromthe right-hand side thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rear ofthe machine viewed from the lefthand side thereof. Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional View through the center of the Inachine. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of the front of the machine and from the righthand sidethereof. Fig. 5 is a detailed View ofthe eccentric locking-pin. Fig. 6is a crosssectional view of a portion of the frame, show ing the meansfor closing the openings therein. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of aportion of the frame, showingthelugs through which are passed theeccentric locking pins orbars.r Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one ofthe doors or openings in the frame in the rear of the machine for theremoving of obstructions. Fig. 9 is an end View of the lockingblockadapted to be engaged to the shaft of the gear-shifting mechanism. Fig.l is a detailed perspective View showing the engagement of thelocking-block with the shaft and spring. Fig. 1l is a perspective Viewof the shear-plate. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the end of the shear-plateand its engagement with the frame. Fig. 13 is a plan View of thelefthand side of the shear-plate and its engagement with the frame. Fig.14 is a perspective view of ascction of the frame with which is engagedthe right-hand end of the shearplate. Fig. l is a detailed perspectiveview of the shear-plate. Fig. 16 is a detailed perspective view of thekey-boltV by means of which the shear-plate is held in engagement withthe frame. Fig. 17 is a sectional View through the lower feed-roller,shear-plate, and a portion of the frame, illustrating the `of the upperfeed-roller.

Serial No. 723,319. (No model.)

relation of said parts to each other. Fig. is a detailed perspectiveview of the end of the shaft which drives the npperfeed-roller.

IFig. 19 is a detailed perspective view of the box and the method ofengagement with the shaftand the upper feed-roller. Fig. 2O is adetailed perspective view of the left-hand end Fig. 21 is a longitudinalsectional view of the box and end of the upper feed-roller- Fig. 22 is adetailed view of a portion of the frame, showing the boxes in which arecarried the upper and lower feed-rollers. Fig. 23 is a plan View of thegearshifting mechanism by which the feedrollers are driven. Fig 24. is adetailed perspective view of a section of the box and sleeve whichcarries the rear end of the main driving-shaft. Fig. 25 is a sectionalview of the rear box and its engagement with the frame. Fig. 26 is asectional view of the forward or adjustable box and its engagement withthe frame. Fig. 27 is a detailed perspective View of the rocking shaftby means of which the clean-out to the fan-casing is operated. Fig. 28is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the fan-casing, showingthe means of engaging the detachable sectional plates therewith. Fig. 29is a detailed perspective view of one of the sectional plates. Fig. 30is a detailed perspective view of the locking-bar. Fig. 3l is a detailedperspective view of the spout or exit of the fan-casing. Fig. 32 is aside elevation of the fancasing, showing the feed-box, feed-rollers, andsome of the cooperating parts in vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 33is a vertical cross-section on a line centrally through the feed-box androlls and adjacent parts.

In the accompanying drawings similar letters of reference refer tosimilar parts.

A represents the fancasing and supporting-frame, which is cast in asingle piece and provided with the extension-lugs a and ct',

adapted to engage the wooden supporting-4 fraine B, which may be Of anydesired forni of construction. The fan-casing A is shown and I prefer toconstruct it in circular form, with the reinforcing-ribs 01,2 and d3 onthe rear of the casing and a4, n.5, f1.6, and a7 on the frontof thecasing. I also provide on the front of the casing the substantiallysemicircular strengthening-rib es at the edge of the air- ICO inlet andupon the rear of the casing the strengthening-rib 0,9 around the edge ofthe air-inlet. Upon the front and rear at the center of the casing thereare provided supports d10 and all for the journal-boxes, which carry themain driving-shaft. For the purpose of adjustment or of removingobstructions upon or about the cutters or Shredders I have providedopenings C and C in the casing and upon either side thereof projectinglugs c and c. A plate c2 conforming to each of the openings and havingprojecting flanges is provided. To hold these plates in position uponthe casing, an eccentric bar c3 is provided, which passes throughopenings in the lugs c and c and when turned up holds the plate inengagement with the casing. For the purpose of relieving any clogging inthe casing in case of stoppage in the dischargepipeI have provided atthe bottom of the casing an opening or aperture D, over which there isplaced a hinged door d. A rocking shaft d is journaled in the woodensupporting-frame, and mounted thereon is a togglejoint d2, which has apivoted connection with the door CZ. For the purpose'of operating therocking shaft there is mounted thereon a lever d5, which has a linkedconnection by means of a rod d4 with the elbow-lever d5, journaled uponthe feed-box of the machine. To enable the elevation of thedischarge-pipe to be changed as may be desired, I have provided thecasing with projecting flanges cl2 and als and segmental plates et, @15,and als, one of which has cast integral therewith the opening or spoutconnection for the dischargepipe. These plates are so formed as toextend over 'and engage with the flanges L12 and L13 and are held inposition by means of the straps et, which are bolted to the segmentalplates and the flanges on the fan-casing. When it is desired to changethe elevation of the exit or discharge pipe, one of the segmental platesmay be removed and the plate carrying the discharge-exit may be raisedor lowered, when the segmental plate may be placed in the positionformerly occupied by a portion of the discharge-segment and securelylocked in position.

Mounted in the center of the fan-casing and upon journal-boxes, thatwill be hereinafter morefully described, there is a drivingshaft E,carrying the y-wheel F, to which there may be attached any desired formof cutter or shredder and the fan-flights. The rear journal-box G, inwhich is journaled the end of the shaft E, consists of two pieces g andg', adapted to be bolted together and having upon their forward end asleeve g2, provided with a spiral rib g3, formed on the inside of saidsleeve. This sleeve g2 passes over the hub of the fly-wheel F, uponwhich there are cast ribs f', the result being that the ribs f' upon thehub of the fly-wheel carrying any portion of the fodder which may havefallen upon the hub around the same when coming in contact with thespiral rib g3 on the inside of the sleeve it is conducted off of andturned away from the hub. The box H, in which is journaled the forwardend of the shaft E, consists of two pieces h and 7L', which aresupported in the projecting flange du, formed on the casing orsupporting-frame. On' the lower side of the lower half of the box thereare projecting lugs 71,2 and h3, which engage with a screw-threaded bolth4, which has a screw-threaded engagement with the projecting lug d, andupon this screw-threaded bolt there is formed a bolt-head h5. Upon thetop of the projecting supporting-lug a there are bolted collars als,which project over the edge of the sliding box H and hold it againstvertical displacement. This sliding box H abnts against the outer hub ofthe fly-wheel F, and in case there should be any change in the relativeposition of the fly-wheel and the cutting edge or plate, which is apt tobe the case, due to the rapid revolution of the fly-wheel, the same canbe readjusted without stopping the machine by means of turning thebolt-head h5, which carries with it the sliding box H. It is veryimportant in this class of machine that the relation of the cutters orShredders to the cutting edge or bar be capable of adjustment Withoutstopping the machine, and I have provided the mechanism thus describedfor that purpose.

On the forward end of the driving-shaft E there is provided the usualdriving-pulley e, which may be attached to the shaft in any desiredmanner, either by key or by the usual thu mb-bolt. Upon the rear end ofsaid driving-shaft E there is mounted a gear-Wheel e', which engageswith and drives the gear train I, by means of which the feed-rollers areoperated. To the rear end of the casing there is securely bolted thefeed-box J, the forward end of which carries the journal-boxes j and jupon either side thereof, in which is journaled the lower feed-roller.There are also provided the vertically-slotted apertures 3'3 and j4,which receive the sliding boxes carrying the upper feed -roller. At thelefthand side of the feed-box, journaled in brackets securely boltedthereto, there is mounted the shaft t', carrying the bevel-gears t" andt2 and the shifting sleeve i3, having therein a slotted aperture 4,which engages a pin t5 upon the shaft. Said shifting sleeve is alsoprovided with circumferential ribs i6 and il, which engage with ashifting arm is, which is securely bolted to the shifting rod i9,supported in brackets attached to the journal-boxes of the shaft z'. Theshifting sleeve is provided at both ends with the usual form ofprojecting clutch lugs or jaws adapted to engage corresponding jaws ofthe bevel-gears. For the purpose of shifting the sleeve I have providedan eccentriclocking-lever K,which is connected to the shifting bar t9 bymeans of a link 7a. The eccentric locking-lever K is mounted upon asquare shaft which extends across and below the rear of the feed-box andhas securely IOO IIO

IIS

attached to its outer end a locking-block 7c', which engages with aspring 7a2, bolted to the feed-box. In operation the shifting lever Kbeing thrown forward, the link Zf. carries forward the shifting rod i9,which in turn carries forward the shifting sleeve. When it is desired toreverse the movement, the shifting lever is thrown backward, and theoperation is reversed, and the parts are held in engagement by means ofthe engagement of the locking-block r/ with the spring 7a2, theoperation in each movement being to throw the eccentric-lever past thecenter, where it is more readily held in the desired position. Inbrackets securely bolted to the under part of the feed-box there isjournaled the shaft i, carrying the bevel gear-wheel@10 upon one end andthe chain sprocket-Wheel @'12 upon the other, which by means of thechain t'drives the chain-wheel 14, mounted upon the hub of the lowerfeed-roller. There is also attached to the jou rnal-box supporting thelower feedroller by means of the bracket @'15 the ordinary form ofchain-tightener 7116.

The lower feed-roller L is cylindrical in form and may be provided witheither a smooth or corrugated surface. I have shown it, however,provided with a corrugated surface. The right-hand end thereof is openor` recessed, and the coupling Z for the drivingshaft is provided with alongitudinal slot Z, formed in a hub cast in the interior of thecylindrical feed-roller, which engages a pin Z2, set into the end of theshaft Z3. There is also provided in the journal-box j a correspondinglongitudinal slot which permits of the passage of the pin and shaftthrough the journal-box. By this construction the coupling isself-contained, thus utilizing all the width of the feed-box andpreventing the clogging or obstructingof the roller by reason of theclose abutment of the end of the roller against the inner face of thefeed-box, thus completely covering the inward projection of the bearingand the inwardly-projecting annulariiange formed around said bearing. Onthe other endof the shaft Z3 there is provided a gear-wheel Z4 for thepurpose of driving thc upper feed-roller, the end of the shaft Z3 beingjournaled in a casing or frame securely bolted to the fan-casing. Theupper feedroller M is also cylindrical in form and may be either smoothor corrugated; but I have shown it corrugated. On either end areprojecting flanges m and m', which abut against the supporting-frameupon either side. The roller is made hollow and has a universaljointconnection with the driving-shaft, and is thus enabled to risevertically in the slotted frame upon either side. The drivingshaft m3 isjournaled at its left-hand end in a box having an oscillating connectionwith a bracket or casing bolted to the fancasing and carries agear-wheel m4, the cogs of which are slightlybeveled on one side. Theother end 0f the driving-shaft m3 is provided with a pi n m5 forengagement with a coupling device me, which is carried by the slidingjournal-box m7, mounted in the vertical aperture heretofore described.The coupling device m6 consists of a hollow casting, the opening thereincorresponding to and receiving the end ofthe shaft and having castthereon lugs m8 and m9 about slotted apertures to receive the pin m5upon the end of the shaft. Upon the other end of the coupling devicethere is cast a ball provided with substantially V-shaped communicatingopenings mo and m11, said ball being adapted to be passed into the upperfeed-roller when a pin m12 is driven throu gh openings 'm13 and m14 inthe feed-roller and through the openings in the ball, thus coupling thefeed-roller with the driving-shaft. By this mechanism the feed-roller isenabled to rise and fall, adapting itself to the quantity of materialfed to the machine.

The cutting edge or bar N consists of a single piece of metal having astraight cutting edge Vnext to the knives and a corrugated edge next tothe feed-roller and at either end is provided with beveled projectinglugs n and 'n' for engagement with corresponding recesses in thefan-casing. The recess O in the fan-casing on the right-hand side,adapted to receive the beveled projecting lug on the cutting edge orplate, is provided with a vertical Wall o and a slightly-beveled wallo', against which abuts the corresponding sides of the flange upon thecutting edge or bar N. On the left-hand side of the casing I provide arecess P, which has a projecting fiange p and a key-bolt p', having aslightly-beveled side p2, which when the key is passed up through theaperture p3, provided therefor in the fan -casing, engages thecorresponding beveled edge on the cutting edge or plate and locks it inengagement with the fan-casing. By this novel mechanism the cutting edgeor plate can be readily removed to repair any damage which may occurthereto and if it should become broken or damaged would not necessitateany repair to the fan-casing. On the lower edge of the cutting edge orplate there is provided an apron n2, the lower edge of which engageswith the outer edge of the opening of the fan-casing, so that in caseany damage should occur to the cutting edge or plate it would falloutside of the casing, and thus become disengaged from the machinery.

In operation, the driving-belt having been applied to pulley e, theshaft E is caused to revolve, carrying with it the fly-wheel F, uponwhich are mounted the cutters and fanflights. The motion is thustransmitted through the gear-wheel mounted on the end of the shaft tothe gear-shifting device heretofore described and by means of the chainand sprocket-wheel to thelower feed-roller and by it in turn to theupper feed-roller. The material to be cut being fed into the feedbox,the upper feed roller readily adapts itself thereto, and the material iscarried through the feed -rollcrs over the cutting- IOO IIO

plate and engages with the cutters mounted upon the fly-wheel and fallsto the lower portion of the fan-casing, where by reason of the currentgenerated by the revolution of the faniiights it is taken up and carriedout through the spout or conveyer to the point of deposit. In case thematerial should be fed int-o lthe machine more rapidly than it could beconveyed out of it by the means provided and to avoid clogging the ventat the lower part of the fan-casing can be opened by the operation ofthe eccentric lever and the rocking shaft described when a portion ofthe material is discharged from the casing.

In event it should be desired to remove any obstructions which may haveadhered either to the fan-ights or to the cuttingknives the gates ordoors provided at the top or upon either side of the fan-casing can bereadily opened and replaced. If it should be desired to change theelevation of the discharge-pipe, one or more of the segmental plates onthe fan-casing may be detached, the spout raised or lowered, and thesegmental plates again replaced at the points vacated by the changing ofthe position of the spout Without interfering in any Way with thebalance of the machine. As heretofore referred to, in the operation ofthis class of machines, which require very rapid revolution of thefly-wheel carrying the knives, the relation of the knives to the cuttingedge or bar changes as the speed increases. To avoid this difficulty, Ihave provided the adjustable sliding box H, heretofore described, whichenables the operator to adjust the cutting-knives to the cutting edge orbar While the machine is in operation.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to secure andclaim isl. The combination in afodder-cutter, ofa fan-casing andsupporting-frame comprising an annular rim and sides formed of a singlepiece of material, said casing being provided in each side with anair-inlet, in its rim with a detachable discharge-segment, and upon thebase portions of the walls of said air-inlets With integralbearing-supports, journalboXes detachably mounted on said supports,

a drive-shaft journaled in said boxes, and

carrying the cutting-knives and fan-iiights, a cutting-bar inclosed withthe shaft, knives and fan-{iights in said casing, and feed mechanism,substantially as described.

2. In a fodder-cutter, a combined casing and supporting-frame formed ofa single piece of material and comprising an annular rim and sides, saidrim being provided with a detachable discharge-segment and the sideswith air-inlet openings, and integral journal-bearing supports at thebase portions of the walls of the openings, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fodder-cutter, and as a new and improved article of manufacture,a combined cylindrical casing and supporting-frame comprisin g verticalcircular sides and an annular connected rim formed of a single piece ofmacsa-14s terial, said rim being provided with one or more openings andthe sides with air-inlets at the base of each of which is formed ajournalbearing. support, substantially as described.

4. In a fodder-cutter, a combined casing and supporting-frame providedwith one or more openings in its rim and in its sides with always openair-inlets at the base of each of which is formed a journal-bearingsupport,- substantially as described.

5. In a fodder-cutter, a combined casing and supporting-frame providedin its sides With always open air-inlets, at the base of which is formeda journal-bearing support, and in its rim with openings, combined with aseries of detachable interchangeable segments for closing said openings,and a discharge-pipe carried by one ofsaid segments, substantially asset forth. A

6. The combination in a fodder-cutter, of a supporting-frame, with asliding journal-box mounted therein, and provided with depending lugs,and a screw-threaded bolt having a screw-threaded engagement with thesupporting-frame, the ends thereof abutting against the depending lugsof the sliding boX, substantially as described and for the purpose setforth.

7. The combination in a fodder-cutter, of a supporting-frame with ajournal-box having a projecting sleeve provided on its inner end, withaconical spiral rib, a main driving-shaft journaled therein, and afly-wheel mounted thereon having a projecting ribbed hub eX- tendinginto said journal-box, substantially as described and for the purposeset forth.

8. The combination in a fodder-cutter, of a supporting-frame havingjournaled therein a drivin g-shaft carrying a fly-wheel having cuttersmounted thereon, with a feed-box having journaled therein an upper andlower feedroller, means for communicating power from the drivin g-shaftto the lower feed-roller, and thence to the driving-shaft of the upperfeedroller, a iiexible coupling between said driving-shaft and the upperfeed-roller, consisting of a hollow casting, the opening therein at oneend corresponding to and receiving the end of the shaft, and having aslotted aperture therein to receive a pin mounted upon thedriving-shaft, the other end thereof being globular in form and providedwith reversed- V-shaped communicating openings to engage a pin to bepassed through the end of the upper feed-roller and said openings,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

9. A flexible coupling device for feed-rollers for fodder-cutters,consisting of a hollow casting, the opening therein at one endcorresponding` to andreceiving the end of the shaft, and having aslotted aperture therein to receive a pin mounted upon thedriving-shaft, the other end thereof being globular in form and providedwith reversed-V-shaped communicating openings to engage a pin passed IOOIIO

through the end of the upper feed-roller and said openings,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination in a fodder-cutter, of a supporting-frame carrying adriving-shaft having mounted thereon a iiy-wheel provided with cutters,with a feed-box having journaled therein the upper and lowerfeed-rollers, and means for communicating the motion of thedriving-shaft to the lower feedroller, an open-ended cylindrical lowerfeedroller, and a driving-shaft connected thereto by means of a pin onthe end of the shaft, engaging a longitudinal slot in a hub cast in theinterior of the cylindrical feed-roller, substantially as described andfor the purpose set forth.

11. In a fodder-cutter, a casing provided with a rim having a series ofdetachable interchangeable segments, and a discharge-pipe carried by oneof said segments, substantially as set forth.

12. In a fodder-cutter, a casing provided with a rim having an openingand formed at opposite sides thereof with flanges, a series ofinterchangeable segmental plates for closing said opening and adapted toengage said flanges, one `of said plates carrying a discharge-pipe, andfastenings for securing the plates to the flanges, substantially as setforth.

13. In a fodder-cutter, the combination of a supporting frame or casing,a driving-shaft mounted therein and carrying a fly-wheel provided withcutters, a feed-box connected to the casing, feed-rollers mounted in thebox, and a shear-plate mounted in the frame and projecting into thefeed-box and having a depending apron, the lower edge of which engagesthe outer surface of the frame or casing, whereby, in the event that anydamage should occur to the cutting edge, or plate, it would fall outsidethe casing, and thus become disengaged from the machinery, substantiallyas described.

14. The combination in a fan-casing for fodder-cutters, of clean-outapertures with projecting lugs on both sides thereof, covering-platesprovided with projecting flanges, and an elastic eccentric locking-baradapted to engage the projecting lug and coveringplates, substantiallyas described and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a fodder-cutter, the combination of a driving-shaft carrying thecutting-knives and fan-Hights, the feed-rollers, a second shaft in gearwith the feed-rollers and carrying a bevel gear-wheel, a third shaft ingear with said driving-shaft and carrying loose bevel-pinions eachprovided with a clutch member and meshing with said bevel gear-wheel onthe second shaft, a sliding sleeve on the third shaft, a pin upon thethird shaft engaging a slot in the sliding sleeve, clutch members uponthe ends of the sliding sleeve to engage the clutch members on thebevel-pinions, a sliding shaft mounted parallel with the third shaft, ashifting lever engaging the sleeve and driving-shaft, and an operatingand locking lever having a linked connection with the driving-shaft,substantially as described.

16. In a fodder-cutter, the combination of a casing provided with afeed-opening the walls of which are provided on opposite sides of theopening with beveled recesses O and I", the recess O having a verticalwall o and a beveled wall o and the recess P a projecting flange 2Jhaving an aperture p3 a key-bolt p fitted in said aperture and having abeveled side p2, a drive-shaft mounted in the casing, and a carryfiy-wheel provided with cutters, a feed-box connected to the casing,feed-rollers therein, and a shear-plate provided with beveled projectinglugs cooperating with said recesses O and P and the bolt p, and having adepending apron, the lower edge of which engages the outer surface ofthe casing, substantially as set forth.

17. In a fodder-cutter, the combination, with a fan-shaft, of adrive-shaft operated thereby, feed-rollers, a second shaft for operatingsaid rollers and carrying a gear, a pair of gears loosely mounted on thedrive-shaft and lneshing with the gear on the feed-roller shaft, ashifting clutch-sleeve adapted to engage either one of the drive-shaftgears to rigidly connect it to said shaft, an eccentric for operatingthe clutch-sleeve, and a camlocking block coperating with said lever,substantially as set forth.

18. In a foddercutter, the combination with the fan-casing, of thefan-shaft, a feedbox connected to the casing, feed-rollers, adrive-shaft, a feed-roller shaft for operating said feed-rollers, atrain of gearing connecting the drive and feed-roller shafts,gearshifting mechanism cooperating therewith, an eccentric lever foroperating the gearshifting mechanism, a locking-spring on the feed-box,a shaft connected at one end to said lever, and a cam-locking block onthe opposite end of the shaft and bearing against said spring,substantially as set fort In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAs. R. MILLER, CHAs. M. BALL.

Ioo

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